Oasis shortlisted for MAT Excellence Environmental Trust of the Year

At Oasis, we believe that lasting change flourishes when communities have the tools, confidence and support to keep growing stronger. Our holistic and inclusive model is designed to spark transformation in every area of life - educational, personal, social, economic, physical and environmental. Because without true sustainability, our vision of healthy, thriving communities simply isn’t possible. 

That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that Oasis has been shortlisted for the MAT Excellence Environmental Trust of the Year award. This recognition reflects the dedication, hope and unwavering commitment of our people, and celebrates the work happening every day across our Oasis family to build stronger, greener and more sustainable communities for the future. 

Presented by Optimus Education, in partnership with the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), the MAT Excellence Awards are a celebration of the outstanding work and commitment of multi academy trusts across the country. This year, the judges highlighted the progress we’ve made together - a 10% reduction in our carbon footprint*, stronger recycling habits across all our academies, and powerful student-led action driving real behaviour change.  

Thirteen Oasis academies proudly earned Eco‑Schools Green Flags this year - Boulton, Enfield, Parkwood, Don Valley, Warndon, Hobmoor, Hadley, Connaught, Ryelands, Marksbury Road, Harpur Mount, Putney, and Bank Leaze. We were also thrilled to see Oasis Academy Enfield top the national Energy Sparks leaderboard. The MAT Excellence Awards also recognised our continued involvement in the Net Zero Accelerator/GSESP Programme, and the way we’re helping to inspire others across the sector by showing what sustainable education looks like.  

Commenting on the achievement, John Barneby, CEO of Oasis Community Learning, said:  

"We are pleased that Oasis has been shortlisted for this Environmental Award, a recognition that reflects our commitment to protecting the environment for current and future generations. 

“From taking action to reduce our carbon impact to enhancing biodiversity and promoting responsible resource use across our academies, this acknowledgement reflects the positive steps our remarkable people are taking together as we continue our mission to build stronger communities. 

“As we weave environmental sustainability more deeply into our curriculum and culture, we remain committed to leading by example and creating a greener, more hopeful future for every young person we serve.” 

Oasis is guided by compassion, both for our students, staff and the world that we live in. Our Environmental Sustainability commitments encourage us to be climate considerate, nature hopeful, self-controlled consumers as we work toward a Net Zero future. 

The impact of these values is reflected in the work of Oasis Eco Champions – our student led eco-clubs, and curriculum wide efforts to embed sustainability across learning. But just as importantly, it is powered by the dedicated work happening behind the scenes. Our Sustainability team, alongside national teams such as Property & Estates, Projects and Procurement, continuously drive forward the systems, strategies, and operational changes that make this progress possible. 

Our National Environmental and Sustainability Manager, Jessica Marshal, acknowledging the collective effort behind this achievement, shared: 

“I’m delighted that we’ve been shortlisted for the Environmental Trust of the Year for the second year running! This year we’ve grown as an environmental team, introduced Climate Action Plans at our academies as well as made big strides towards all our academies having solar panels – this wouldn’t have been possible without the support and joined up approach with Eco Champions, Property and Estates, Procurement and beyond. Being shortlisted is deserved recognition for all those staff and students that have made climate action happen!” 

We look forward to the awards ceremony this June, where we will celebrate alongside other trusts who share our mission to create a greener, more hopeful future for everyone. 

Being shortlisted for this award is a reminder that our journey is far from over. Together, we continue moving forward with compassion, consideration and a commitment to protect the environment for current and future generations.